We recently caught up with KATE WILSON, the creative mind behind Transitions the Bow, a captivating film that will be showcased at the 2024 F3T Film Festival. This project offers a deeper look into her life, blending her love for skiing and fly fishing. In this interview, we dive into how the film came together, the connection between these two outdoor passions, and the lessons learned along the way. Get ready to hear about the adventures that fuel both the slopes and the river

Can you tell us a bit about your project Transitions the Bow, which premiered at the F3T Film Festival.?? How did you develop the concept for this movie and who helped you put it together??

The concept of the movie really just stemmed from wanting to create a passion project that really showed more about my personality and the things I love to do in conjunction with skiing. I have made a few films in the past that were just your classic “shred-it” if you will; no real interviews or getting to know me behind just skiing, so I wanted to create something that was a bit deeper. I put this film together with the help and support of my husband Garrett, as well as Flylow Gear and Simms. I also had support from Smith Optics, Line Skis, Lamson Reels, Lange Boots, Banff Sunshine, and my home shop, the IronBow Flyshop in Calgary. My filmer/editor Renaud Furlotte also helped me a ton with the process of everything and really helped me step into creating something with a storyline.

Skiing and fly fishing are both deeply connected to the natural world. How do these two sports complement each other in your life, and what do you find most fulfilling about switching between the slopes and the river?

Growing up, skiing was everything for me. Winters were spent skiing with my family, and eventually, I competed at a high level in freestyle skiing, specializing in moguls, and then freeride skiing. As a kid, skiing wasn’t just an activity, it was my identity. I didn't find fly fishing until I met my partner, Garrett. I had always loved the outdoors and spent time conventional fishing on backcountry camping trips as a kid, but once I learned to fly fish, I never looked back. Fly fishing quickly became just as important to me as skiing—maybe even more so at this stage of my life.

Initially, it was the perfect summer activity to keep me busy as a skier, but over time, it grew into a year-round passion. Living in the Crowsnest Pass allows me to experience the best of both worlds. I can ski up at Castle Mountain and fly fish down in the valley on the same day sometimes (weather permitting, ha!). Shoulder seasons don’t really exist for me anymore; I can fish year-round and fully embrace every season.

What I love most is how skiing and fly fishing complement each other. Both sports are intense but in entirely different ways. On the mountain, I can go full throttle, chasing that adrenaline rush. But I feel the same electricity on the river when I hook into a big fish. The key difference is the pace—skiing pushes my limits physically and mentally, while the river lets me slow down, be present, and recover, especially after dealing with a few major injuries (are you even a skier if you haven't blown a knee, i'm unfortunately a repeat offender ha!). Together, these passions offer balance in my eyes, one feeds my need for speed and adrenaline, and the other provides connection and reflection—all while still chasing that same sense of adventure.

Skiing often takes you to some breathtaking locations. What’s your favorite ski destination, and how does the environment there inspire you both on and off the slopes?

We moved down to the Crowsnest Pass last year, mainly to be closer to the activities we love, fishing and skiing, so I would say one of my favorite ski destinations is definitely Castle Mountain. It's this amazing hill, with epic views, steep terrain, but a super grassroots feel. It really has the charm that ski resorts used to have and is kind of like a time capsule in a lot of ways; rarely are there huge lift lines, there's not glitz and glam like some of the mega resorts these days, and it just feels wholesome and friendly, without compromising on amazing skiing and snow.

If we're talking backcountry skiing and snowmobiling, I'm still a sucker for any of the terrain out near Golden, BC. I spent a winter out there one season, and that area definitely holds a special place in my heart.

Skiing requires focus and precision, much like fly fishing. How do you mentally prepare for a challenging day on the mountain, and what lessons from skiing do you bring into your everyday life?

Skiing has taught me a lot over the years, especially during my competitive days, and those lessons still resonate with me today. One of the biggest takeaways has been learning to trust my gut. Whenever I’ve ignored that instinct, it’s usually led to an injury. Over time, I’ve realized the importance of being patient and listening to my body. I don’t have to charge hard every single day, and giving myself the space to rest is just as important as pushing my limits.

When I was younger, I definitely pushed myself to the max—a drive that helped me grow, but also occasionally got me into trouble. Another key lesson has been the value of work ethic. To excel at anything, you need to commit time, energy, and focus. Whether it’s learning a new trick or planning a technical line in the backcountry, persistence pays off. At the same time, I’ve learned you can’t rush it—you need to balance persistence with patience if you want to achieve a goal.

Fly fishing is often described as an art form. What aspects of fly fishing do you find most rewarding, and how has the sport influenced your perspective on nature and adventure?

For me, the most rewarding part of fishing isn’t necessarily catching the biggest fish. Don’t get me wrong, at the end of the day, catching fish is definitely nice, but even if you don’t, there’s so much to take away from the experience. Every day on the water has moments that are fulfilling and enjoyable, whether it’s learning something new about fish behavior—which is probably why I pursued a career in fisheries biology—improving your cast, or just getting out of service and away from it all.

Honestly, I’ve caught a lot of fish, including some really amazing ones, but now I find just as much joy in watching my friends catch fish. We often fish “arena style,” taking turns sight-fishing for each other, and I love that collaborative aspect. It’s super rewarding to help each other catch fish.

As for my perspective on nature and adventure, fishing offers an amazing way to fully immerse yourself in it. Whether it’s seeing cool wildlife, flipping over rocks to see what bugs are around, or hiking ridiculous distances and enduring challenging weather, everyday has some element of adventure forsure.

Your fly fishing adventures take you to some pristine waters. Do you have a favorite fishing spot that holds special meaning for you, and what makes it stand out?

For sure! I’ve got a lot of local spots that are really special to me, many of which we visit regularly during our daily dog walks. The Bow River in Calgary holds a special place in my heart, as do many of the streams down in Southern Alberta. Beyond that, I absolutely love chasing steelhead in Northern BC and it’s become a place I look forward to visiting every year.

Looking to the future, how do you see your journey evolving with both skiing and fly fishing? Are there any new adventures or challenges you’re excited to take on?

I don’t see my love for skiing and fly fishing changing anytime soon, but I do want to start exploring my backyard more, especially with sled-access skiing and other backcountry trips. On the fishing side, I’d love to make it to New Zealand one day, and a saltwater fishing trip is definitely high on my list in the future.

As someone who excels in both skiing and fly fishing, what are your top three tips for staying prepared and making the most of your time on the slopes and on the water?

Hmm, that’s a great question. I think my three tips would be:

Make sure you’re fully engaged and living in the moment with both activities. Don’t focus too much on results, like catching a certain size fish or landing a particular trick. The experience itself is what matters most in my opinion.
Surround yourself with people you trust. This is especially true for skiing; there’s nothing wrong with being selective about who you share these activities with. In the backcountry, it’s crucial to be with people whose decision-making and safety skills contribute to the experience in a positive way. It is also super important to me to go out with people who have the same level of risk tolerance as I do.
Don’t take things too seriously. Remember to keep it fun and make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. At the end of the day, it’s all about enjoying the process and the adventure.

Do you have any plans for future movie project? If so can you tell us your plans??

I would definitely love to create a few more of these films and almost make it into a series. I’d love to create two more, and have always thought it would be cool to have a motorized backcountry version (think snowmobile access skiing and jet boats), as well as a self propelled backcountry version (think ski touring and walk and wade fishing). But we’ll see, for now I’m just excited to share this first chapter and go from there.

Wath the Full Movie Below 👇

Transitions on the Bow: A Passion for Skiing and Fly Fishing

Can you tell us a bit about your project Transitions the Bow, which premiered at the F3T Film Festival.?? How did you develop the concept for this movie and who helped you put it together??

Skiing often takes you to some breathtaking locations. What’s your favorite ski destination, and how does the environment there inspire you both on and off the slopes?

Skiing requires focus and precision, much like fly fishing. How do you mentally prepare for a challenging day on the mountain, and what lessons from skiing do you bring into your everyday life?

Fly fishing is often described as an art form. What aspects of fly fishing do you find most rewarding, and how has the sport influenced your perspective on nature and adventure?

Looking to the future, how do you see your journey evolving with both skiing and fly fishing? Are there any new adventures or challenges you’re excited to take on?

As someone who excels in both skiing and fly fishing, what are your top three tips for staying prepared and making the most of your time on the slopes and on the water?

Do you have any plans for future movie project? If so can you tell us your plans??

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Transitions on the Bow: A Passion for Skiing and Fly Fishing

Can you tell us a bit about your project Transitions the Bow, which premiered at the F3T Film Festival.?? How did you develop the concept for this movie and who helped you put it together??

Skiing often takes you to some breathtaking locations. What’s your favorite ski destination, and how does the environment there inspire you both on and off the slopes?

Skiing requires focus and precision, much like fly fishing. How do you mentally prepare for a challenging day on the mountain, and what lessons from skiing do you bring into your everyday life?

Fly fishing is often described as an art form. What aspects of fly fishing do you find most rewarding, and how has the sport influenced your perspective on nature and adventure?

Looking to the future, how do you see your journey evolving with both skiing and fly fishing? Are there any new adventures or challenges you’re excited to take on?

As someone who excels in both skiing and fly fishing, what are your top three tips for staying prepared and making the most of your time on the slopes and on the water?

Do you have any plans for future movie project? If so can you tell us your plans??

Slide Inn Podcast ep. 2: The Mindset

Canoeing, Fly Fishing, in the Snowy Range of Wyoming

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